got a deer, used my truck

[57taskforce]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u3JyJ3W6Q
It could be worse! I know the guy very well that towed this vette from the track. I saw it up close after the crash... Im sure the guy driving had to change his drawers...

Man im sorry about your truck but im glad its fixable and everyone is safe. Thats a crappy day for sure!

[leddzepp]

Man dude, you sure have had your share of problems with this truck

Glad that you are OK, and hope you can get it repaired.

[HeavyD]

It can be fixed, if they dont want to play fair consider getting a settlement and buy the parts yourself. Sucks, but it happens, you are OK and the damage is repairable. Not to distract, but what wheels are you using?

['68OrangeSunshine]

I hit a deer 21 years ago in my '67 K/10 Suburban, somewhere between Bisbee and Tombstone. I was cruisin' about 80 -- it was a Saturday night. I was coming from one job in Douglas back to Tucson to start another job Monday morning in Mescal. He came from right to left. That Sub had poor brakes [drums] and a 454 w/TH350 slushbox. I saw him crossing but it wouldn't stop. He spiked my driver side headlamp with his antlers before getting run over. Killed the headlight, shorting the whole electric system: regulator, alternator, battery. The distributor shaft was bent, we found later. The grille was FUBAR. Front bumper was twanged, major. Hood and fenders surprisingly OK. Frame horns had only a minor tweak.
I got a '68 grille off another junkyard Suburban for $100, looked better than the old one... I had a spare chromed front bumper I'd once had on the '68 Stepside.
Years later there was a weird leak from one of the freeze plugs on the left side of the BBC. We pulled it off and sealed up the hole with an expansion plug. It was a piece of antler that finally worked its way out.
BTDT and I know that sick feeling. I will say I'm grateful that that truck got me home. They don't build 'em like that anymore.

[steelhorse]

That sucks. Glad you are ok. Keep us posted as the truck is fixed...You know we love pics.

[AirSpeed]

Anyone have experience with aftermarket 72 gmc grills, fenders or radiator supports? Having a hard time finding anything!
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[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Man dude, you sure have had your share of problems with this truck

Glad that you are OK, and hope you can get it repaired.

Yea, I just got all the issues taken care of then this happens! No biggy, it will be fixed, have it in a good shop I've used many times in the past on other vehicles. They're pretty quick and do good work. Last time I hit a deer was in a Chevelle I bought for my wife on our anniversary, we took it for a drive the day I gave it to her, had a great time until the ride home when a buck ran in front of me, hit the grill then flew over the car. I didn't even bother to touch the brakes or slow down, just drove home. The paint was only a week old. Had it back from the shop a week later.

[Xeen]

That 5k estimate is way too high, but collision repair shops love to stick it to the insurance company because they can get away with it.

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by Xeen

That 5k estimate is way too high, but collision repair shops love to stick it to the insurance company because they can get away with it.

They're supposed to give me the actual cost tomorrow, once they get the hood open and see what's happened under there, hopefully it's not that high. I don't have classic vehicle ins on it so he was concerned the ins co would use bluebook value and total it. I couldn't find a bluebook price, I looked at NADA and it claims retail for my truck is between $7,000 and $13,000, I'm hoping they don't try to give me $2500 and total it. I have Allstate and they've been pretty good in the past. I'll find out tomorrow! I've had several claims using the same shop and they've never sent an adjuster to inspect any of them. I did have an inspector check it out a couple years ago after hail damage but I did that work myself.
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[Xeen]

Yeah your truck is worth more than 13k there is no question but make no mistake about it they are only interested in their bottom line so they will try to get off as cheaply as possible, If they send out an adjuster he will be frank with you and if he suggests that he want's to total it all you have to do is ask him not to and tell him you really love the truck and you want to fix and keep it and he will back off and give you a little extra money and not total it.

[Dlm11]

I know the pain hit one this year with my 72 swb not to long after I got it

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by Dlm11

I know the pain hit one this year with my 72 swb not to long after I got it

Ironically I gave my daughter my 69 shorty to my daughter a week ago, she's picking it up today. Just drove it for the last time this morning. I restored the truck about twenty years ago but it needs it again, she's got a new 350 for it and it goes in for new paint very soon. I've had it for 35 years, my gramps bought it new and gave it to me when his eyesight got so bad he couldn't drive. I did give her one stipulation, I get to drive it anytime I visit her.
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[Dlm11]

Mine deer must've not been as big.

[Dlm11]

When I dealt with the insurance company I told the adjuster not to value the paint work cause I plan on getting it painted it's a crappy old backyard paint job. I was afraid if he valued that in they would total it cause I don't have it valued very high. They gave me exactly enough to buy a fender bumper and a complete grill. It's better than nothing I wish it was more but I didn't want to chance it

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by Dlm11

Mine deer must've not been as big.

The one I hit was doing about twenty almost straight towards me, I think the combined impact of 70 mph is why mine got so trashed. It was a big doe, about 160lbs easy.
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[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by Dlm11

When I dealt with the insurance company I told the adjuster not to value the paint work cause I plan on getting it painted it's a crappy old backyard paint job. I was afraid if he valued that in they would total it cause I don't have it valued very high. They gave me exactly enough to buy a fender bumper and a complete grill. It's better than nothing I wish it was more but I didn't want to chance it

I just got off the phone with my agent, she was worried Allstate will total it, I don't have classic car ins on it so they may value it as a 43 year old clunker even though it was in excellent condition. When I insured it they took about twenty pics of it, it was nice then but I've invested a lot into it since. I don't care if they total it as I've already willed it to my daughter, I just hope they give me enough to fix it right. My estimate is right at $6,000. I think I am going to have issues!
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[Dlm11]

I used a classic car insurance company. Good luck hope it works out

[enigma]

Sorry to hear about the truck AirSpeed. There is a 69 gmc grill for 20 dollars here where I live at. Not computer lit so all I can do is give you posting id from seattle craigslist 5187105487 is post id. would be happy to pick up for you box it up and mail it for you just for what it cost to do

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by enigma

There is a 69 gmc grill for 20 dollars here where I live at.

For $20, snap it up quick 'cause it won't last long! You won't have any problems selling it if AirSpeed decides not to take it.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by Husker

That sucks, I hate deer.
Ron

But they are tasty!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Z10

But they are tasty!

Not when they have been thrashed by 4000 lbs of speeding Detroit steel and then run over. The internal organs rupture and the meat is spoiled.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Z10

But they are tasty!

Amen to that!

Airspeed, i hope you can get this figured out. Insurance companies can be a real bear to work with at times. I used to work in a body shop, and Ive seen lots of times where the estimate is right on or even a few hundred below there threshold and they total out. It would be a shame to loose what I presume is a clear title over this. Sure it can be rebuilt and you may have plans to keep it in the family but a salvage title will kill a vehicles value.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Bummer dude. "Make em" buy a nice OEM replacement grille. If not, you really should consider paying the difference, because you've already said you won't be happy with a repro. Yes it might cost you another $300-400, but saves you from "I wish I had". That's a nice truck, keep it that way.

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Amen to that!

Airspeed, i hope you can get this figured out. Insurance companies can be a real bear to work with at times. I used to work in a body shop, and Ive seen lots of times where the estimate is right on or even a few hundred below there threshold and they total out. It would be a shame to loose what I presume is a clear title over this. Sure it can be rebuilt and you may have plans to keep it in the family but a salvage title will kill a vehicles value.

It will stay in the family, my second daughter gets it. Ironically I gave my 69 to my first daughter right before I hit the deer with this one, she took it home today. Was a tough day! I have no GM trucks in my driveway right now! It looks so vacant and sad! Right now I'm driving a loaner Chevy Venture mini van! I'm wearing a disguise when I drive it.
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[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Bummer dude. "Make em" buy a nice OEM replacement grille. If not, you really should consider paying the difference, because you've already said you won't be happy with a repro. Yes it might cost you another $300-400, but saves you from "I wish I had". That's a nice truck, keep it that way.

I doubt I'll find an OEM grill as perfect as mine was, I'm looking though!
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